Multi-Agent Workflows
Split Codex work across bounded agents while preserving ownership and review.
Key takeaways
- Multi-agent work pays off only when tasks are independent enough to run in parallel; otherwise it adds coordination cost and merge risk.
- Use bounded roles: Explorer for codebase questions, Worker for a slice of implementation, Verifier for checks during work, and Comparator for alternative solutions.
- Assign clear file or module ownership, keep write sets disjoint, tell agents about other parallel work, and require final changed-file lists.
- Integrate results locally before final verification.
- Do not delegate the critical next step when the main thread is blocked on it; do that work locally to keep the path clear.
Multi-agent work is powerful only when tasks are independent enough to run in parallel. Otherwise it creates coordination cost and merge risk.
Delegation Patterns
| Pattern | Use |
|---|---|
| Explorer | Answer a specific codebase question |
| Worker | Implement a bounded slice of work |
| Verifier | Run checks or inspect risk while implementation continues |
| Comparator | Try alternative solutions for the same problem |
Task Design
- Assign clear file or module ownership.
- Tell agents about other parallel work.
- Keep write sets disjoint when possible.
- Require final changed-file lists.
- Integrate results locally before final verification.
Risk Controls
Avoid delegating the critical next step when the main thread is blocked on it. Do that work locally to keep the path clear.